Trending RF & Microwave News Stories this Week(13-17 August, 2018)

Quantenna Demonstrates 1 Gbps Throughput Using its Wi-Fi Access Point

Quantenna Communications has demonstrated delivery of 1 Gbps throughput using its QSR10GU-AX PLUS solution and QSR10G Wi-Fi chipset, each independently communicating with commercially available mobile products.

This breakthrough performance was achieved between Quantenna based access points and a wireless adapter based on the Intel Wireless-AC 9260. This combination of commercially available consumer products is the first to overcome the 1 Gbps TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) speed barrier to a mobile Wi-Fi client based on 2x2 MIMO configuration and creates an unmatched experience for all demanding Wi-Fi-connected applications in the home. Click here to read more.

PowerSphyr and GaN Systems to Develop GaN-Based Wireless Power Systems for High Power Applications

PowerSphyr and GaN Systems have entered into a strategic agreement to bring state-of-the-art GaN-based wireless power systems to market for high powered applications across consumer, industrial, and automotive sectors worldwide.

The collaboration merges the strengths of two global companies known for innovative leadership. Working together to develop hardware and firmware solutions, PowerSphyr and GaN Systems are committed to delivering solutions that adhere to wireless charging standards, while developing next generation power and functional capabilities that exceed anything offered in the market today. Click here to read more.

Boeing Develops Innovative Patch Antenna for UAVs

Boeing Research & Technology and the University of Victoria have developed an extremely thin copper antenna for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Most communications antennas on small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) look like a pencil, sticking out from the fuselage but thanks to this joint effort, antennas may one day be a thin interchangeable patch that can work on any surface. Click here to read more.

World’s First Multi-Band, Multi-Satellite Electronically Steered Antenna Array System

ATLAS Space Operations has deployed its first X-Band electronically steered array system called LINKS. The first-of-its-kind 4-element array consists of 16 individual antennas and is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Historically, space-to-ground communications have been conducted through a network of large, and expensive, parabolic dish antennas. These legacy systems can take up to months to install and deploy, creating a costly capital expenditure burden on the satellite ground network operators. Additionally, once these antennas are installed - they stay there for the rest of their serviceable life. LINKS was invented to alleviate all of these obstacles, and then some. Click here to read more.

Samsung Launches First 5G Modem Fully Compliant with 3GPP Standards

Samsung Electronics has developed the first 5G modem that is fully compatible with 3GPP Release 15, the most up-to-date standard specification for 5G New Radio (5G-NR). The Exynos Modem 5100 is built on Samsung's power-efficient 10nm process technology and supports legacy radio access technologies in addition to 5G.

Samsung successfully conducted an over-the-air (OTA) 5G-NR data call test under a wireless environment utilizing a 5G base station and 5G end-user equipment prototype embedded with the Exynos Modem 5100. As the test simulated real-world cellular network conditions, this will ensure faster development and commercialization of 5G mobile devices that adopt this new modem. Samsung is also working closely with a number of global mobile carriers and partners to quickly bring 5G mobile communications to the market. Click here to read more.

World’s First Monolithic, SOI Wi-Fi Front-end Module for 2.4 GHz Applications

pSemi has introduced the first monolithic, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) Wi-Fi front-end module (FEM). The PE561221 is ideal for Wi-Fi home gateways, routers and set-top boxes, this high-performance module uses a smart bias circuit to deliver a high linearity signal and excellent long-packet error vector magnitude (EVM) performance. This 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi FEM integrates a low-noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier (PA) and two RF switches (SP4T, SP3T). The monolithic die uses a compact 16-pin, 2 x 2 mm LGA package ideal for either stand-alone use or in 4 x 4 MIMO and 8 x 8 MIMO modules. Click here to read more.

Latest Version (v14) of NI AWR Design Environment Software is Out Now

NI AWR has introduced a new version of the NI AWR Design Environment platform. The latest release - V14 - includes new features, add-on modules and enhancements to the NI AWR Design Environment software suite of products, including Microwave Office/Analog Office circuit design software, Visual System Simulator (VSS) system design software and AXIEM planar and Analyst 3D finite element method (FEM) electromagnetic (EM) simulators. Click here to read more.

Wi-Fi Technology Can Now Check Your Bags for Suspicious Materials

Researchers at Rutgers University–New Brunswick have claimed regular Wi-Fi technology can be used to detect hazardous materials in bags at public places. The team has published a paper stating that their suspicious Wi-Fi object detection system is easy to set up, reduces security screening costs and avoids invading privacy such as when screeners open and inspect bags, backpacks and luggage. Traditional screening typically requires high staffing levels and costly specialized equipment. Click here to read more.

Ericsson Planning on Increasing Investment in the US 5G Market to Accelerate Deployment

Ericsson is planning to increase its investment in the US 5G market to support the accelerated growth of the next-gen technology. The investments will fall into two categories, one to increase research and development work done close to customers in the US and the other to increase flexibility to shorten the timeline for new product introduction and product delivery to customers. This will enable Ericsson to recruit new expertise from the US, complementing the company’s existing highly-skilled employees in the region.

The series of strategic initiatives will allow the company to operate even closer to its customers, meeting the growing demand for 5G globally and in the region. Click here to read more.

GNSS Receiver with Post Processing to Provide Accurate, Affordable Geo-Location for Drones

An accurate GNSS receiver is a must for all UAV models. An unmanned system without a proper geolocation solution simply cannot be employed for drone applications for which the final outcome needs to be precisely orthorectified. To provide a high level of accuracy, post-processing of geolocation data is required. However, solutions that support this are very expensive and often well-beyond what many drone operators can afford. As a result, most of them have had to settle for less accuracy. Click here to read more.

NASA Explores the Use of GaN Crystals for Space Applications

Gallium Nitride (GaN) due to its high efficiency and excellent electric characteristics is being considered for use in space applications. NASA researchers are currently examining the use of gallium nitride, a crystal-type semiconductor compound first discovered in the 1980s, for space applications. Among its many attributes, gallium nitride demonstrates less electrical resistance than other materials and thus loses only a small proportion of power as heat. The material can handle 10 times the electrical current of silicon, enabling smaller, faster, and more efficient devices. In addition, it is tolerant to a wide range of temperatures, resistant to radiation, and as it turns out, adept at detecting energetic particles. Click here to read more.